The newly-designed front entrance welcomes travelers to the Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott, on Illinois 111 just south of Interstate 270 in Pontoon Beach. It's one of two new “fourth-generation” design hotels that Marriott has rolled out in the St. Louis market — the other is in Wentzville, Mo.
Tim Vizer
News-Democrat

The newly-designed front entrance welcomes travelers to the Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott, on Illinois 111 just south of Interstate 270 in Pontoon Beach. It's one of two new “fourth-generation” design hotels that Marriott has rolled out in the St. Louis market — the other is in Wentzville, Mo.
Tim Vizer
News-Democrat

New Fairfield Inn & Suites has all the comforts of home

A new metro-east hotel gives guests all the comforts of home while away from home.

At four stories, the new Fairfield Inn & Suites in Pontoon Beach stands as the most prominent building in the village. General manager Andy Patel said the Marriott-owned property did not bother erecting a sign.

“It wasn’t necessary,” Patel said. “You could see it in the distance.”

The hotel’s unique design, known as “Gen 4,” is the first for the Marriott-based hotel chain in the metro-east, and the second in the metro area with the other being in Wentzville, Mo. The metro-east hotel opened Aug. 31 and sold out all 81 rooms in the first weekend.

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Approaching the building from Interstate 270, the hotel’s height and modern design distinguishes it from others located within the 270 Commerce Park. The exterior has a signature tower and a distinct curved porte-cochere that covers a stamped concrete driving surface resembling dark wooden planks and leads to an all-glass entrance.

Inside, the lobby appears homey, complete with a stone fireplace and other furniture that seems suitable for a living room. An adjacent desk provides work space and Internet access, and a conference room provides guests with meeting space as well as a 60-inch LED flat-screen TV and dry-erase board. An adjoining breakfast area seats 50 and leads to an outdoor patio. An indoor pool, jacuzzi and exercise room with free weights and cardiovascular equipment provide further amenities.

The building is also energy-efficient. Air units on the roof bring in central air, which Patel said is better for the environment because the air is coming from outside and requires less electricity for air conditioning.

The rooms, which include 24 suites, are decorated in bright colors and furniture that is ergonomically designed for comfort and space, Patel said.

“As far as amenities go, it’s designed more for our travelers who are coming in Monday through Friday,” he said. “It’s geared toward making sure they have what they need to make sure they’re productive in terms of when they’re on the road and make them feel like they’re at home so they can be as productive.”

Marriott selected the Pontoon Beach locale because of its close proximity to downtown St. Louis as well as other businesses and attractions in the metro-east.

Patel said he has met visitors who were conducting business at Hershey Foods and Dial, which operate warehouses and distribution centers at the 2,300-acre Gateway Commerce Center, located at the intersection of I-270 and I-255 in Pontoon Beach and Edwardsville. Patel has also received guests associated with Southern Illinois University Edwardsville and its sports teams.

The Fairfield Inn & Suites is the fifth hotel in Pontoon Beach and the first to open in years. Village economic development director Ben Motil said the new hotel will also provide accommodations to those who travel to visit and compete at the Tri-City Speedway in town and other events planned in the region.

“It’s a great addition,” Motil said. “It’s going to be really beneficial to us with our big summer events. The hotel will bring more guests toward us in Pontoon Beach.”